Theruptic Surfaces (Huntleigh)

Huntleigh Healthcare's support surfaces are designed to prevent and treat pressure ulcers, minimize costly reoccurrences, and conserve health care dollars and resources. See Huntleigh Corporate article.

The Huntleigh Dynamic Flotation System is recommended for the prevention & treatment of pressure ulcers up to and including stage IV ulcers. It is an advanced mattress replacement system for acute, sub-acute and home care needs.

Based upon literature findings, two support surface technologies exist: constant low pressure and alternating pressure.

Constant low pressure works by spreading the skin surface pressure over a large surface area. This design allows the body to sink into the support surface, which may be filled with water, foam, air or silicone beads, so that the support surface takes on the shape of the body. This increases the surface area where the skin is in contact with the support surface and reduces localized pressure, thereby promoting blood flow.

Early studies demonstrated that the capillary blood pressure of healthy humans ranges from an average of 32 mmHg at the arterial end of the capillary bed, to 12 mmHg at the venous end.1 Today, clinicians use these measurements as a standard to determine capillary closing pressure-the point at which blood flow is occluded. These measurements are used as a clinical indicator of the pressure relieving performance of a support surface.

DFS3 System

The Huntleigh DFS®3 (Advanced Dynamic Flotation System) system effectively relieves pressure below clinically relevant thresholds for longer periods of time to enable blood vessel diameters to remain as large as possible for as long as possible. This system maintains tissue oxygenation and nutrition, and removes toxins, to help prevent and treat pressure ulcers. The system has been incorporated with an Auto-Matt® sensor, which automatically adjusts the pressure to the patients' weight, size and position, ensuring optimum pressure relief and patient comfort at all times.

Laboratory studies have shown that during the 10-minute cycle time of the DFS3 system, interface pressures remain below 32 mmHg 100 percent of the time, under 20 mmHg 60 percent of the time, and below 12 mmHg for an average of 40 percent of the cycle time.2,3

Heel Protection

One of the innovations of the DFS3 system is the HeelguardT section, a special "powered-down" five-cell design at the foot end of the mattress that provides significant pressure relief to the heelsone of the most vulnerable areas of skin breakdown in the body.

In addition, the DFS3 system gives the clinician the best of both worlds by providing a choice of two systems in one: dynamic mode, which provides fully effective pressure relief, and static mode, which provides constant low-pressure reduction. Static mode is ideal when mobilizing patients, when a moving surface is contraindicated and during nursing procedures when a non-alternating support surface is required.

Huntleigh Healthcare's support surfaces have been clinically proven to prevent pressure ulcer development, promote wound healing and reduce healing times in numerous clinical trials.4,5,6 Also, in a number of case studies involving patients with extensive burns, graft/flap repair and necrotizing fascitis, the DFS3 has been shown to be a highly effective alternative to more costly modalities.7,8,9,10

With many features and benefits for patients and caregivers, Huntleigh's DFS3 pressure-relieving mattress replacement system and range of support surfaces have achieved a new standard in pressure area management.